Raiders Defense Must Answer Its Run Game Problems Against the Texans

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Raiders Defense Must Answer Its Run Game Problems Against the Texans

Tyler Bischoff

Thu, Aug 20, 2026 ·

3 min read

Jermod McCoy and Hezekiah Masses must improve

Aug 13, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Simi Fehoko (80) catches a 10-yard touchdown pass against Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jermod McCoy (28) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Jermod McCoy and Hezekiah Masses were carved up by the Cardinals . The two combined to allow eight catches on eight targets for two touchdowns. Neither one showed any play-making ability.

Both players are rookies, and neither was drafted until the third day of the 2026 NFL Draft, so expecting immediate success is premature. But they were beaten repeatedly by the Cardinals backups who exposed the secondary .

The Texans might not use their starters tonight , so any reps the rookies in the secondary get will likely come against second stringers. McCoy and Masses need to show they can cover someone at the NFL level.

Maxx Crosby and the run defense get tested

Dec 21, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb (21) runs with the ball as Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) makes a tackle during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The Raiders gave up 156 rushing yards to the Cardinals, as more than just the secondary struggled. The entire defensive line failed to make any stops in the run game.

Las Vegas is transitioning to a new 3-4 base defense, giving the Raiders three interior defensive linemen. Jonah Laulu, Thomas Booker, Adam Butler and Tonka Hemingway are projected to get most of the snaps across the defensive line. Those four combined to play 22 snaps against run plays, and none of the four made a single tackle.

The problems extend to the edge rushers as well. Maxx Crosby was held out of the first preseason game , leaving Kwity Paye and Malcolm Koonce as the two starters. Like their teammates on the interior, neither one made a single tackle in the run game.

Ultimately the Raiders are coming off a three-win season, a three-possession loss to the Cardinals and a joint practice where they were second best. The entire roster needs to perform better.

The Raiders hired Klint Kubiak as head coach to fix the offense. The defense is in the hands of Rob Leonard, a first-time defensive coordinator who has been part of the Raiders' staff for the last three seasons.

Leonard doesn't have the most talented roster to work with, but so far through preseason, the defense has yet to show any improvement.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.